Illuminated sign



May 20, 1930. J. J. FOX

ILLUMINATED smu Filed June 9, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l I N VEN TOR.

May 20, 1930. X 1,759,782

ILLUMINATED SIGN Filed June 9, 1927 2 Sheds- Sheet 2 I N VEN TOR.

Patented M 20, 1930 UNITED STATES JOHN 3'. FOX, 01'. SAGINAW, MICHIGAN ILLUILIZRATED SIGN Application. med June 9, 1927. Serial No. 197,612.

This invention relates to signs of that type embodying a transparent glass plate having the character or characters thereof formed or outlined by light reflecting portions, and a 5 lamp arranged to cast its rays edgewise through the glass plate so as to illuminate such portions. Signs of this character have not met with general approval for the reason that the light reflecting portions thereof, which are ormed by cutting the required parts of the rear side of the glass plate by the sandblast process, have when illuminated a dull, shady or frosty appearance and do not therefore render the character or characters 16 clearly visible.

The present invention has for one of its objects to improve signs of this character by providing them with light reflecting portions which when illuminatedwill have a bright,

shiny appearance and which will due thereto render the character or characters clearly visible, the invention comprehending the provision of the light reflecting portions by cutting the required parts of the rear side of the glass late with a steel punch.

A urther object of the present invention is to provide a novel frame and support for,

the glass plate and to provide the glass plate with an o aque backing which will also assist in ren ering the light reflecting portions bright and shiny in appearance. With the foregoing and other objects in view, the nature of which will become apparent as the description" proceeds, the invention consists of the construction, combine Zion and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of a sign constructed in accordance with my invention,

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the lli orizontal plane indicated by the line 2--2 of igure 3 is a sectional view taken on the vertical plane indicated by the line 3'-3 of Figure 1,

igure 4 is an elevational view illustrating a slightly modified form of the glass plate of the sign, and

vof the sign clearly visible.

Figure 5 is a similar view of a further modified form of the glass plate of the sign.

Referring in detail to the drawings, 1 designates the glass plate of the sign. This part is transparent, and the character thereof may be a figure as shown in Figure 1 or a word or words as shown in Figures 4 and 5. If desired, the glass plate 1 may be provided with characters in the form of figures and words. The character or characters may be formed so as shown in Figures 1 and 5 or outlined as shown in Figure 4.- by light reflecting portions 2 which are provided by indenting or cut- I ting the rear side of the glass plate by means of a steel punch. The light reflecting porc5 tions 2 are, due to the manner in which they are provided, of such character that when illuminated they have a bright, shiny appearance and render the character or characters The glass plate 1- is secured in a frame 3 which is open at its front and closed at its back and at its top and side edges, and a black felt pad is positioned between the glass plate 1 and the back of the frame 3. The

side and top edges of the glass plate 1 have a tight fit with the sides and top of the frame 3 so as to prevent light rays from passing into the glass plateby way of these edges. The frame 3 is supported bya hollow base 9 5 which constitutes a lamp compartment and into which the lower edge of the glass plate 1 extends. The base 5 is provided in its u per side with a slot 6 for the reception 0 the lower end portion of the glass plate 1, and 5 it is provided on the interior thereof with strips 7 which constitute rests or supports for the glass plate. A pin 8 carried by the top of the frame 3 contacts with the glass plate 1 and securely holds it in place. 7 0

A lamp 9 of the incandescent electric type, is arranged within the base 5 so as to cast its rays edgewise through the glass plate 1. The lamp 9 may be colored or plain, and the rays emanating therefrom enter the lower edge of the glass plate 1 and pass upwardly throughout the entire area thereof and illuminate the reflectin portions 2. 'The lamp 9 is carried by a soc et 10 which is secured to a door 11 located at the rear side of the base Leads 12 are connected to the socket to permit the lamp to be supplied with current from an electric light socket or from any other suitable source.

As reflecting portions 2 of the glass plate 1 are formed by cutting the required parts of the rear side of the glass plate by means of a steel punch, these portions will be clearly and brilliantly illuminated by the passage of the light rays through the glass plate. Due to the brilliant illumination of the reflectin portions 2 and to the opaque backing 4 o the glass plate 1, the character of the sign 7 formed solidly or outlined by the reflecting portions will be clearly visible. The base 5 adapts the sign to be supported on a counter, showcase 0r the like.

It should be understood that the drawings are merely illustrative and do not pretend to give exact proportions. Furthermore, the said drawings are illustrative of a preferred construction, it being my expectation that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. 1

What is claimed is A sign of the character set forth comprising a hollow base provided on its upper side with opaque walls having a slot therebetween, strips secured within the base at opposite sides (thereof and extending across the slot, a frame extending upwardly from the base and fitted in the slot and closed at its rear side, a glass plate disposed within the frame having its lower edge portion positioned in said slot and resting upon the strips, the location of said strips affording a construction wherein said lower edge portion of the glass plate is unobstructed between the strips, and a lamp within the base.

In testimony whereof Iaflix my signature.

' JOHN J. FOX. 

